Unite statement on threat to 450 NHS jobs in Birmingham

Unite statement on threat to 450 NHS jobs in Birmingham

03 June 2016

Unite regional officer Frank Keogh said: “At a time when the population is growing and the demand for new treatments rising, we strongly deplore the announcement that up to 450 jobs are under threat at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

“This is yet another depressing example of this government’s underfunding of the NHS and the buck for this dismal state of affairs stops with the health secretary Jeremy Hunt whose stewardship of the NHS since 2012 has been little short of disastrous.

“The funding crisis facing the NHS in Birmingham is not unique and many other trusts across England are feeling the malign effects of the continuing financial strait-jacket.

“Unite will work with the trust’s management at this challenging time to mitigate any job losses and to ensure that patient safety is not compromised in any way. We will continue to make the case for a properly funded health service free at the point of delivery for all those in need.”